Dealing with man‐made trauma: The relationship between coping style, posttraumatic stress, and quality of life in resettled, traumatized refugees in the Netherlands

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between coping style, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and quality of life in traumatized refugees (N = 335). Participants had resettled in the Netherlands on average 13 years prior and were referred to a Dutch clinic for the treatment of posttraumatic psychopathology resulting from persecution, war, and violence. The majority (85%) of the research sample met diagnostic criteria for PTSD. Path analysis suggested a model in which PTSD symptoms (β = -.61, p < .001), social support seeking (β = .12, p < .05), and emotion-focused coping (β = .13, p < .01) have a direct effect on quality of life. The role of avoidant and problem-focused coping could be interpreted in 2 ways. Either these coping styles are influenced by PTSD severity and have no effect on quality of life, or these coping styles influence PTSD severity and therefore have an indirect effect on quality of life. Intervention strategies aimed at modifying coping strategies and decreasing PTSD symptoms could be important in improving the quality of life of traumatized refugees.

Posttraumatic growth, depressive symptoms, posttraumatic stress symptoms, post-migration stressors and quality of life in multi-traumatized psychiatric outpatients with a refugee background in Norway

“…Our findings for the levels of quality of life were lower than the levels found among Iranian refugees resettled in Sweden [66], among Turkish immigrants in Sweden [136], Haitian immigrants in USA [137], traumatized refugees resettled in the Netherlands [138,139],and Turkish immigrants in London [140], but lower than in tortured refugees resettled in Denmark [64,65,141]. Following the first hypothesis, we found moderate-to-large, positive and significant correlations between PTG and all of the domains of quality of life, including the two general items of “Overall quality of life” and “Overall health”.…”

Experiences of young (minor) asylum seekers in further education in Malta

“…This is in contrast to the uncertainty that prevailed on a daily basis en route to Malta, when they did not know whether they would succeed in making it to Europe. Most asylum-seeking migrants are influenced by such factors as fear of persecution, financial hardships and different experiences of loss and trauma (Huijts, Kleijn, van Emmerik, Noordhof, & Smith, 2012).…”

That will be your home : Resettlement preparations for children and youth from the Horn of Africa

“…Among research concerned with people with a refugee background, a bulk of studies can be found focusing on the negative health effects of war and hardships on people. This pattern is also found in research concerning people who have gone through resettlement (Morris et al 2009;Beiser 2009;Beiser & Flemming 1986;Vojvoda et al 2008;Söndergaard 2002, Marshall et al 2005Museru et al 2010;Huijts et al 2012;Suleiman-Hill & Thomp-son 2011;Lindencrona et al 2008;Teodorescu et al 2012;Blight 2009;Ghazinour et al 2004). This research stretches from the time of arrival in the new country, to studies looking at health aspects of resettled people who have been living in the resettlement country for decades.…”